If your dream wedding looks like an old-world romantic tale with dreamy hues, antique details, Renaissance-inspired wedding gowns, and majestic architecture, you are meant for a European-style wedding, and let no one tell you otherwise! The beautiful history that abounds every cobblestone road and stunning landmarks of Europe have our hearts and we love to see these European wedding ideas and details getting translated out of their countries, across the world. For those of us who are not living in the beautiful landscapes of Europe, it is very much possible to translate the quaintness and rich history of the scenic villages and towns of Europe into the wedding details by adding a few touches here and there, to capture the spirit of old-world romance and vintage essences.
Europe has a certain allure that explains why it's such a popular wedding destination for couples planning an ultra-romantic celebration. While each country on the other side of the Atlantic has its own rich history and historic architecture, no matter where you are on the continent, you will be surrounded by that striking old-world feeling. Whether it is a vintage sweetheart table with footed flower vases brimming with burgundy and blush flowers, trailing ivy and clusters of wild berries, or a statement-making wedding cake design adorned with blooming sugar flowers and hand-painted in wine, lilac, and champagne tones, or a bride walking down cascading stairs wearing a princess wedding dress that looks straight out of a fairytale, every little and big detail can give testaments to a dream European wedding straight out of a storybook. From the vintage wedding accents glowing with floral embroidery, translucent tulle, and show-stopping details to the antique bridal hair accessories that gleam like the glorious past paired with sultry eyes and nude lips, we love how brides live their European wedding dream by bringing in big and little details that complete their enchanting wedding looks.
Chic European wedding bands
Your choice of engagement and wedding rings tells a lot about you as a couple and the kind of wedding you are planning to host. Which ring style is best for you? Timeless, vintage, or trendy? While every kind of ring has its own charm, a classic engagement ring design like an heirloom ring with traditional gems or rings with classic cuts like ovals, round cuts, cushions, and emerald cuts can be the ultimate choice if you are having a European old-world aesthetic wedding. It's no surprise that as wedding ring shoppers are in search of the perfect classic sparkler, they are considering family traditions and legacy, and hence opting for rings that feel like heirlooms. Couples are getting nostalgic post-pandemic and they are thinking about future generations as they start their own families. We are hence anticipating heirloom-inspired engagement ring trends in the coming years, that are connecting modern love stories to vintage details, and creating new family traditions and legacies.
Château wedding venue
While a château wedding venue isn't always easy to find, there is no better setting to capture the essence of French romance. The rustic feel of a château terrace will always be enhanced by eucalyptus and olive branches that are usually native to the South of France. If you are lucky, a hidden gem of a wedding venue is already waiting for you right in your own city. Hence, you can also look for an old mansion with historic charm, natural beauty, and a hint of romance. A villa wedding venue is an ideal choice because it provides an all-encompassing experience, as your surroundings evoke European charm and bring a piece of Europe to your hometown. When scouting locations never forget to note any columns, crown molding, or vintage rugs, as they all can contribute to the desired old-world ambiance. Don't be discouraged if that perfect spot doesn't already exist nearby you, as there are ways to infuse any wedding event space with the charm of 16th-century Italy. Finding a venue with plenty of natural light and decorating with free-flowing and organic flowers can be a great start for a European wedding.
European countryside wedding colors
If you're lucky enough to find an on-theme venue, allow the natural color palette of the European wedding venue to dictate the wedding color palette- from the choice of your flowers to the table linens. For instance, to create a beautiful bouquet that reflects France's natural colors, combine lavender and French blue with white and eucalyptus green. For styling up your wedding reception on a budget, you can go for industrial chic details by embracing the venue's wrought ironwork and weathered white-washed walls or terracotta brick walkways and intricate river stones mosaics. Even the rich wood plank flooring and hand-hewn beamed ceilings with detailed hand painting can complement the space's colors and weave a good balance of texture and a mature color gradient.
Wear a lace wedding dress with statement sleeves
When it comes to creating a Euro-inspired bridal look, some bridal dress fabrics work better than others. Classic wedding dress styles still hold an attraction for antique and vintage fashion enthusiasts. Old-chic, coupled with the air of fantasy, fascinates many brides who desire to relive the past in a modern-day setting. For instance, a bride can wear a wedding gown with beaded lace or guipure lace, as lace has a timeless and romantic feel to it, making it an ideal choice for a European-style celebration. If this vintage bridal fabric doesn't appeal to you you can go for light fabrics like chiffon and crepe. Medieval-style wedding dresses generally come with unique features like may intricate buttons lining the sleeves, dozens of yards of trims, fine stitches, and opulent embroidery work. Corset wedding dresses are great too as these distinctive garments ornamented with masterful embellishment featuring pebbles and chains will bring a cheerful mood to a party!
Unique European inspired wedding invites
Want to relive the era of handwritten love letters pressed with wax seals and vintage stamps? Here's a unique idea- turn wine labels into invitations and give guests a bottle of wine as a gift. The package has a French feel to it, thanks to vintage stamps, a wax seal, and tulle. Calligraphy can be a show-stopper when done correctly! You can go for a dreamy invitation suite idea and get inspired by the continent's laid-back lifestyle by sending out wedding invites with pen calligraphy so that every piece of stationery looks purposefully curated to fit the European aesthetic. Hand-calligraphed invitations, envelopes, or escort cards are a simple and elegant detail that adds a bit of formality to your wedding. Here, you can use pointed pen calligraphy on handmade paper with custom ink to create all the wedding invites. Is there anything more perfect for the past than a paper suite that looks like it was written with a quill? We don't believe so. These handwritten wedding invites will set the tone for your European-inspired wedding and give your guests a sneak peek into what to expect on the big day.
Add old-world props to the wedding day details
Consider going back in time to your favorite era, whether it's the glitz and glam of the Roaring Twenties, the Hollywood glamor of the 1950s, or the hippie and boho vibes of the '60s. You could also look to the romance of the Victorian era, the colors of the Impressionist period, or the grandeur of the Renaissance for your old European wedding inspiration. There are so many ways to bring a historic moment to life in a vintage wedding, no matter which one you choose. For instance, a quick and easy way to turn that classic accessory shot into something from another era is to use staged flat-lays with lots of antique details. Flat-lays, such as vintage-inspired ornate trays, rich velvet fabrics, and loose florals that capture the old-world wedding details can be carefully designed to complement the vibe you are trying to create. You can also use a cheese board to lay out a scrumptious spread for your reception or go for a lavender toss instead of the traditional confetti or rose petal toss as a nod to the French aesthetics. Also, nothing says European romance like gilded candle stands and votive holders and you can pair them with tapered and tealight candles to complete the European reception look! For a touch of Italian springtime charm, package wedding favors with wildflowers, greens, twine, and a gilded wax seal. Or set up an altarpiece with flowering branches, charming foliage, and whimsical blue chairs set against a fountain and expansive green that can embody a Spanish garden setting. European-inspired textures can also combine for a magical feast with regal chairs, tapered candles, cut glassware, and moody burgundy hues. Or even simple touches like rustic wildflower centerpieces in mismatched bottles and jars can do the magic as day appears to have been plucked from the hills of Provence!
Opt for a bridal bouquet with native European blooms
Take inspiration from the lush fields of English gardens and conservatories for a cascading bridal bouquet style. Fill it with grape leaf ivy and banyan vines as trailing greenery accents, narcissus, anemone, ranunculus, French tulips, carnations, and English garden roses. Talk to your wedding florist about different native European flowers and how they can be accommodated for your bridal bouquet. To create a beautiful bouquet that reflects the different parts of Europe's natural colors, combine lavender and French blue with white and eucalyptus green. Or opt for a luscious swag of greenery and baby’s breath that can evoke the bucolic charms of the European countryside.
Dreaming of a white wedding that looks straight from a European dream? If you have ever dreamt of exchanging your wedding was surrounded by the majestic and rolling landscape of Lake Como, or in the aesthetic white landscapes of Germany, this one's for you! The Renaissance-inspired wedding details are all about celebrating European wedding aesthetics whether it is about incorporating a warm color palette and floral arrangements that beautifully accentuate the natural fresco and stucco textures of the wedding venue or adding unexpected pops of color and whimsical touches in the reception tablescapes for a modern Renaissance look of Italian elegance. European wedding styles are known for their cool aesthetics that are chic, effortless, and glamorous in every aspect. It is so easy to see why so many couples from around the world are well acquainted with this wedding style and they want to incorporate a few ideas from the country into their wedding day inspiration and ideas. From the dreamy château receptions and manicured garden ceremonies to the lavender wedding details and rolling sunflower-filled hills at a distance, there is just something so magical about European weddings that brims with history and beauty and makes for a magical wedding day concoction.
Whether you are standing in front of a château in the South of France or relaxing on the veranda of a Spanish villa, one thing is certain- you are in for a treat! When you are stateside, that vibe, strong enough to make you fantasize about life as an ex-pat, doesn't come around very often, and you feel it even less (if at all) in your hometown. And you can bring this striking old-world feeling to your wedding effortlessly by adding the above-mentioned details and touches- whether you are looking to infuse it with throne-like sweetheart chairs, blue and white stripes, or gilded candelabras and flatware to evoke its opulent, royal roots, or go for a more bucolic wedding look by incorporating lavender sprigs into bouquets, centerpieces, and even cocktails. Another lovely option is to use a watercolor wedding color palette to evoke the Impressionist era, and don't forget to use your favorite European language (we vote for French) wherever possible, such as on RSVP cards or table numbers. A setting with rolling lawns, château-like stonework, or wrought-iron pergolas can be great additions too. And even though not every couple has access to a venue built using the Italianate architecture of the past as a model, particularly if they are marrying in their hometown, this does not rule out the possibility of throwing a European-themed wedding party- as they can bring in their very own Paris or Tuscany to their big day with all the big and minimalist wedding details!
Please wait!
